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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Kindergarten Clinic & Clinic Rookies

The RBSA Clinic and Clinic Rookies programs are non-competitive, fun introduction to baseball and softball for our youngest players. We know that we have many first time participants and hopefully we can answer all of your questions below.

Q. Who can play?

A. Given our affiliation with Little League Baseball, the Clinic Rookies is open to students who are born between September 1, 2014 - August 31, 2015, while the Clinic is open to all students who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten or the Ramsey Transitional Kindergarten program or are born from 9/1/13 - 8/31/14. In fairness to all families, we do not make exceptions to this rule. There are many fine local facilities which offer pre-school instruction.

Q. Can my child "play up"?

A. See the answer to this question below.

Q. When does the season start?

A. The season opens with our traditional parade through Ramsey on the morning of April 18, 2020 and the first session will take place later that day.

Q. When and where do the sessions take place?

A. Both the boys and girls clinic take place on Saturday afternoons at Finch Park (field # 6). Tentatively, the girls sessions is from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 pm. and the boys session is from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Q. How many sessions are there and is there one on Memorial Day weekend?

A. There are eight (8) weekly sessions and Memorial Day is an off weekend.

Q. What equipment do I need and what is provided?

A. Each player should have their own baseball gloves. While many players bring their own helmets and bats, they will be provided and it is not necessary to purchase them. Uniform t-shirts will be provided for each player.

Q. Cleats or sneakers?

A. We recommend that the kids wear molded rubber multi-purpose cleats (no metal). Sneakers can be worn, but given the grass/dirt surface at Finch, cleats are the better option.

Q. I have more questions, who should I talk to?

A. Please call/e-mail Matt Miller at 201-264-0531. Once the Division Directors are named, we will update this information.

Can my child "play up"?

The very short answer to this is "NO". Even moreso now that the RBSA is following the Little League age requirements from the onset of play at League Age 5, the age requirements are finite. This may require your child to repeat a level of play (often at the T-Ball level).

In addition, softball is grouped by grade and we have produced some very strong (Division I) players out of our program and they have ALL played grade level all the way through.

What is the Challenger Division?

The Little League Challenger Division is Little League’s adaptive baseball programs for boys and girls with physical and developmental challenges.

For information about the Challenger program here in Ramsey, please contact Glen Popolo 201-995-0755.

Does my child have to play recreation in order to be eligible to play on the travel teams?

Yes, with the exception being that your child could not play recreation due to illness or injury.

How do Major league evaluations work?

Dear Parents and Players,

Every year the RBA Majors conducts player evaluations (tryouts) to help determine who will make up the players who will be drafted into the Majors. The number of players selected is dependent on the number of Little League Age 11s and 12s that are returning to play in the Majors. The goal will be to have 6 teams in the Majors and Minors divisions with the goal of not having more than 12 players on a team. Based on previous years’ registrations, we feel this provides the appropriate level of competition in both the Majors and Minors divisions.

The Majors evaluations consist of hitting, running, throwing and fielding drills. Three independent evaluators (no children in the program or specific interest) view the players performing these drills. The evaluators are charged with selecting the best 40-50 players who can potentially play in the Majors.

There are occasions when a player who cannot attend the evaluations is included in the draft pool. This may occur because a player is out of town, competing in another sport, is ill or injured. There are also occasions when a player is not selected by the independent evaluators and is placed in the pool. This may occur because a player is ill or injured or simply had an extremely poor tryout. In these cases, only players who are clearly Major League caliber, based on prior performance, will be included in the pool. This evaluation is made by experienced coaches who know the players.

Once the draft pool is determined, the 6 coaches draft the players using: 1) rating information provided by prior season coaches; 2) their observations during the evaluations; 3) their observations during prior baseball seasons; 4) information they have received from others. All League Age 10-12 year-olds not already in the Majors wanting to play in the Majors must attend the evaluations. Only if that player makes the draft pool, will he be eligible to bedrafted by a Majors team. If a League Age 12 year-old player makes the pool, he must be selected by a Majors team. If he does not make the pool, he will be assigned to the Minors.

The Majors is a competitive league and the coaches want to field the best team that they can. The objective of the evaluations and the draft is to have the best 10, 11 and 12 year-olds playing in the Majors. The system is not perfect, but over the years it has proven to be the fairest way to make our evaluations.

The evaluations are closed to parents because of the distractions of parents coming and going and because we believe there would be added pressure on the players and the process in general. Two representatives from each team, the league president and the evaluators are the only adults in attendance. Playing in the Majors may not be best for your child. There are several benefits of playing in the Minors, including: 1. more playing time (the Majors requires only three innings of play per player while the average player in the Minors will play four innings. Every player also bats in the lineup.); 2. more potential to play infield positions, and; 3. better opportunity to hit the ball and be a contributor to the team.

The Majors draft is not the cut line for years to come. Many players improve their play by playing in the Minors, playing during the summer, playing Sunday baseball and attending clinics (such as Complete Game or PBI). There are numerous cases of boys who love the sport, skipping Majors for a year or two or altogether, and continuing to play in High School

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you cannot attend the evaluation, please notify John Dugan 201-481-0678 or Matt Miller at 201-264-0531.

Majors Evaluation Schedule @ Ramsey High School (lower gym)

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

12:00 p.m. - Last names A-H

1:30 p.m. - Last names I-P

3:00 p.m. - Last names Q-Z

If you cannot attend the evaluation or your assigned time slot that day, please notify John Dugan directly @ 201-481-0678.

If my son wants to play in the Minor leagues does he have to attend the Major leagues evaluation?

No. Participation in the Major League evaluations is only required if your son wants to get assigned to a major league team.

Are there evaluations for Babe Ruth or softball?

No. There are no evaluations in either Babe Ruth or softball. All players will be drafted to teams automatically. The evaluations are only for 10, 11 or 12 year-old boys who want to play in the Majors and did not play in the Majors during the prior season.

How do I register my children?

You have two ways to register. You can simply register directly online or you can fill out the form posted on the website and mail it in.

We strongly encourage online registration, which is safe and secure. Please reach out to us with any related questions.

Can my daughter play baseball instead of softball?

Yes, although it is not recommended. Ramsey has had a very successful (and demanding) softball program for many years.

What jewelry can be worn during games?

Only eyeglasses and sunglasses are permitted.

Do I have to wear a hat?

Team hats are provided, are part of the uniform, and must be worn during games.

Do I need my own bat to play softball?

No, ASA regulation bats are provided by the League, however, players are not precluded from bringing their own regulation bats.

Can I wear my soccer cleats or my sneakers?

Yes. Sneakers or multi-purpose cleats made of molded rubber or plastic are the only type shoes to be worn at practice and games. Metal spikes are only allowed in the Babe Ruth league.

When and where are games and practices?

Games and practices can vary depending on the league, the coach and field availability. However, in general;

1. There are RARELY games on Fridays or Sundays.

2. The Clinic and T-Ball levels generally do not practice or have limited practice times.

3. For a general idea of the schedule for the season, go to the "Leagues and Teams" dropdown menu on the website and click on the league your child will be playing in and pick a team. There is no plan to drastically alter our past scheduling practices.

4. The vast majority of games and practices for TT-8/Belles through Babe Ruth/Seniors will take place at Finch Park. However, we also utilize MacFarren Field, Smith School & Tisdale School as well. Softball will also play games against local town rec. teams within a few miles of Ramsey.